Temple Board looks to dismiss President Theobald

The Temple University Board of Trustees is looking to dismiss university President Neil Theobald, nearly four years after he assumed his role.

The board issued a vote of no confidence against Theobald, according to an announcement made Tuesday. They will seek his dismissal in a July 21 meeting.

This decision comes about two weeks after the university dismissed Provost Hai-Lung Dai over a $22-million deficit in the financial aid budget, though the university did not specify at the time its reasons for firing Dai.

The board says that deficit is ultimately Theobald’s responsibility and he “must be held accountable.”

But according to The Temple News, Theobald has alleged his pending dismissal actually stemsfrom his refusal to cover up sexual harassment allegations against Dai.

Dai is still a tenured professor in the Chemistry department.

In Tuesday’s meeting the board also approved Theobald’s nomination of Joanne Epps to Dai’s position as provost.

Theobald is Temple’s 10th president, a role he assumed in 2012 after Ann Weaver Hart departed.

While the university searches for a new president, former Acting President Richard Englert will again serve as temporary head.

“Dr. Englert brings a wealth of leadership, knowledge and Temple experience to the post of Acting President,”Board Chairman Patrick O’Connor wrote in an email to the Temple community Tuesday.”The Board of Trustees has full confidence that Dr. Englert will ably lead the University in the months ahead with fidelity to its mission of access to excellence.”